Carlton Cole ready to fire West Ham to Premier League safety after signing new deal

The 30-year-old has penned a new 18-month contract at Upton Park after impressing since signing a short-term deal in October, having originally been released last summer following seven years with the club.

In the absence of Andy Carroll, who has only just returned to action, Cole scored four goals in 12 games including the opener in Saturday's victory over relegation rivals Cardiff City to lift the Hammers out of the drop zone.

Having been rewarded for his efforts, Cole hopes to repay manager Sam Allardyce for the renewed faith in him by continuing to find the back of the net.

Cole rejoined the club on a short-term deal and has netted four times [GETTY]

“First and foremost it's all about Premier League survival, we're down there fighting it out and we just need to stay up and then work from there next season”

Carlton Cole

"I'm really happy," he told West Ham TV.

"I've worked hard to get to the position I'm in right now. The manager asked me to come back in the summer and I've worked hard to get my match fitness and I've scored a few goals whilst doing that.

"I've always believed that I can score goals and that's the main thing as a striker, you want to score goals and help the team win.

"That's what I'm here to do and hopefully I'll get more chances to do that.

"I've never said that I've got targets but I have my own targets in my head. Hopefully I can get to where I want to get to.

"First and foremost it's all about Premier League survival, we're down there fighting it out and we just need to stay up and then work from there next season."